Officer injured in college students bus riot

A community support officer was injured and several police officers assaulted when dozens of college students went on the rampage.

Violence flared when up to 40 teenagers were unable to get on a packed bus in the High Street in Orpington, Kent, at about 5.30pm yesterday.

A patrolling PCSO stepped in after about a dozen teenagers got on board to allow the driver of the route 51 bus to move off.

But a group of students left behind then attacked the vehicle, kicking the front and rear doors and trying to force the emergency exit open.

The 25-year-old PCSO suffered a cut to his face as he struggled with the mob and called for back-up. He was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers from Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich, including neighbourhood and transport teams, raced to the scene as teenagers ran amok.

Dog handlers and officers from the force's territorial support group, often dubbed riot squad officers, were also drafted in.The High Street was closed for an hour as a series of Orpington College pupils were arrested.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said seven teenagers were held, including three 18-year-old women from Lewisham, Greenwich and Belvedere.

Two boys from Lewisham and Greenwich, aged 16 and 17, a 19-year-old man from Erith and a 17-year-old girl from Dartford was also arrested.

The two teenagers from Lewisham have been bailed until December 7, while the rest remained in police custody today.

Those arrested were held for public order offences, violent disorder and assaulting police officers.

A spokesman for East London Bus Group said an internal inquiry has been launched. He said CCTV footage from the bus has been handed to police.

The bus driver was not injured. No other police officers required hospital treatment.

There has been a series of high-profile crimes in the Bromley area over the last five days, including two murders.

Bromley borough commander Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs said: "As a local resident, I share the community's concerns about the violent incidents that have occurred over the last few days.

"However, I can assure people that our investigations into all the incidents will be thorough and our operational response will be both firm and proportionate."

Howard Clark, chair of the Bromley Community Engagement Forum, said: "Although the incidents in the borough over the past few days have been of a concern, I must ask all residents and community members to remember Bromley remains a safe and pleasant place to live.

"There is not and has not been a sudden crimewave and you should not be discouraged to enjoy the many amenities the borough has to offer.

"It is business as usual and please support our local police's efforts to ensure this continues."